If your child needed local anesthetic for a procedure, then his/her tooth, lip, cheek, and tongue may be numb for at least an hour after the appointment. Please discourage touching, sucking or chewing of the numb areas. Have your child bite on the cotton roll provided as long as possible. We ask that you make sure the cotton roll is partially visible from your child's mouth so you know where it is at all times (to prevent swallowing or aspiration). If accidental biting occurs, the area may swell up for 1–2 days and possibly take a week to heal. The area that was bitten may appear yellow while healing.

A milkshake or smoothie may be helpful after the appointment while the anesthetic wears off. Once the anesthetic wears off (in about 1 hour) it is safe to eat. After the appointment, your child can usually go back to school—please let the teacher know to watch for biting of the numb area. Give Tylenol or Motrin as needed. Most times it is not necessary, but it may help the transition while the anesthetic wears off. The gums in the area of treatment might be red and sore for a few days, so encourage your child to keep the area clean with gentle brushing and flossing.

If nitrous oxide was administered your child may feel "floaty" or "tingly" during the procedure. At the end of treatment, they will breathe 100% oxygen for 5 minutes. There should be no effects of the nitrous oxide by the time they leave the office.

Sealants are a plastic coating that will cover the biting surface of the molars that help prevent the adherence of food particles and plaque in the pits and grooves.

After sealants are placed, your child may notice a slightly bitter taste which will go away with water and normal eating. Sealants may temporarily cause a slight difference in the bite, and your child may mention this. Within a few days, it should feel back to normal.

Your child may eat and drink right away after the appointment.

Over time the sealant may show some normal wearing, more so with children who grind their teeth or chew gum frequently. We always assess your child's sealants at each checkup and will repair if necessary. We expect sealants to remain effective for at least 2 years. If we need to repair any sealants within 2 years, they will be free of charge.

• Please bite on gauze for 15–30 minutes following tooth extraction.• Do not use straws or rinse vigorously since we want the blood clot to stay in place.• A cold compress or bag of frozen peas may help reduce the chance of swelling.• Give Tylenol or Motrin as needed, following proper dosages.• Once anesthetic wears off, soft foods may be given. Avoid hot or spicy foods.• Slight oozing from the extraction site is normal. Reapply gauze pads if needed.• Refrain from sports and vigorous activities for at least 24 hours.

Instructions for the following 2–3 days:

• Continue soft food diet and pain medications as necessary.• Your child may rinse with ½ tsp salt in lukewarm water once or twice a day to keep extraction site clean and comfortable. • Follow normal brushing/flossing routine, with special care to avoid extraction site.• Your child should be able to resume normal activities after these 2–3 days.

Your child has had a space maintainer placed today. This appliance is meant to hold space so the permanent (adult) teeth will come into the mouth in the proper position. In order for the appliance to work properly, please follow these instructions:

The appliance should stay cemented firmly in place. If it becomes loose, dislodged or broken, please save the appliance, and call the office for an appointment.

Minimize the amount of sticky foods or candy your child eats (gummy bears, taffy, caramels, gum, etc.) since this may cause the appliance to become dislodged.

It is important to keep your child's teeth and appliance as clean as possible. Make sure all food is cleared from the surfaces of the bands after brushing.

If you have any questions please call us, Redmond Kids Dentistry, the best of Redmond, at (425) 558-4562.